Indy Graffiti Abatement Unit Wraps Up Initial Season

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Posted by: Claire Belby on Thursday, October 22, 2015 at 2:00:00 pm

Indy Graffiti Abatement Unit Wraps Up Initial Season

More than 200 properties in Indianapolis received a face lift over the last four months during the pilot season of the Graffiti Abatement Unit. The abatement program was aimed at eradicating graffiti and addressing blight and decay in the community as well as improving the lives of re-entrants in our community. The public private partnership between the Indy Public Safety Foundation, City of Indianapolis and community partners hit the streets in June.

“The Graffiti Abatement Unit has assisted in addressing neighborhood safety and enhancing quality of life by removing nuisance crime (graffiti) which tends to lead to higher level crime and recidivism,” Dept. of Public Safety Director David Wantz said. “We have also not only improved the quality of life in our neighborhoods by abating graffiti but we also improved several re-entrant’s lives by providing them a job skill, life lessons and mentoring.”

Local REALTORS® have been part of the program from the start.

“The program is off to an amazing start and we are excited to be part of the progress being made to strengthen neighborhoods and empower homeowners,” stated Kathy Hall, 2015 MIBOR REALTOR® Association President. “As REALTORS® we know about the forces that can either build up or tear down a neighborhood. The visual and immediate nature of the crime of graffiti is disastrous for neighborhoods. This is one of the most creative solutions out there.”

The GAU and its crew worked 214 sites abating 15,630 square feet of graffiti around Indianapolis. Eight participants from RecycleForce’s re-entrant work program served on the GAU crew. The program provided them the opportunity to get back into the work force after incarceration.